The offices of the Hudson Reporter will be open on Monday, Dec. 30. They will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day. The office will reopen Thursday, Jan. 2.

Thus, the advertising and editorial deadlines for the Hudson Reporter newspapers will change. The deadline for classified and display advertising for the Sunday, Jan. 5 editions is Monday, Dec. 30 at noon.

Instead of the regular North Bergen Reporter, Secaucus Reporter, Weehawken Reporter, Union City Reporter, West New York Reporter, Hoboken Reporter, and Jersey City Reporter for Jan. 5, the Hudson Reporter will be publishing its annual county-wide “Year in Review” that Sunday. That special edition will not contain letters to the editor.

Look for us at hudsonreporter.com. Got questions? Email editorial@hudsonreporter.com and put your town in the subject head.

Toy distribution and show for kids in Union City

The National Associaton of Cuban-American Women will hold a toy distribution and show for local kids in Union City, in honor of “Three Kings Day.”

The event will take place Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Park Theatre, 560 32nd St., Union City, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To get tickets for children, call 201-864-4879 or 201-271-9308. It’s one per child, and adults don’t need tickets, but only one adult per family is permitted. Call those numbers for more information.

Sacco bill strengthening law gang recruiting passes Senate

Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Nicholas Sacco and Sen. Linda Greenstein upgrading existing laws of the solicitation and recruitment regarding gang members on school property recently passed in the Senate.

Current law makes it a fourth degree crime if the solicitation or recruitment occurs on school grounds. However, if a violator also threatens another with bodily injury on numerous occasions over a period of 30 days, then it becomes a crime of the third degree. The bill, S-1479, would upgrade the offense to a third-degree crime regardless if violence occurs or not. Soliciting or recruiting a person under the age of 18 to join or actively participate in a criminal street gang, regardless of where the recruiting occurs, would remain a crime of the second degree.

“This measure shows that we are serious about the role of gangs in our communities,” said Sen. Sacco (D-Hudson, Bergen). “Our schools cannot be the breeding ground for unlawful behavior, and cracking down on recruitment efforts will help to root out criminal elements both in our classrooms and on our streets, it is my hope that by strengthening existing laws and increasing penalties associated with these crimes, we will hamper the growth of gang activity throughout the state.”

A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.

Hudson County non-profits win grants

The Comcast Foundation announced on Dec. 18 that it had awarded $34,000 in grants to two nonprofit organizations in Hudson County.

The local recipients are the Boys & Girls Club of Hudson County, which received a $25,000 grant to support its Club Tech, and the Union League of Hudson County, which received $9,000 for its Technology Training for Youth program.

“The Comcast Foundation is proud to award these grants to our partner organizations to improve the lives of our local neighbors,” said Charisse R. Lillie, vice president of community investment for Comcast Corporation and president of the Comcast Foundation. “Through this support, we remain committed to closing the digital divide, empowering young people to become leaders, and engaging our employees and local citizens in volunteerism.”

State conservation poster contest seeking entrants

New Jersey’s Soil Conservation Districts are now accepting entries in a poster contest designed to raise awareness of natural resources and related issues among young people. The theme for this year’s poster is “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil.”

Students may compete in the following age groups: Grades 2-3; Grades 4-6; Grades 6-8; and Grades 9-12. First place winners in each category will receive $200 savings bonds; second-place $100 bonds; and third-place $50 bonds.

All first-place winners will be entered into the National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest.

The competition is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Committee, the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, and the state’s 15 Soil Conservation Districts, which work to conserve and manage soil and water resources in the state.

To find your local Soil Conservation District, go to www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/conservdistricts.html. All entries must be submitted through the local districts. The deadline is in mid February. For more information and the entry form, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/pdf/conservationpostercontest.pdf.